Main Junction: ASK WHITECHAPEL -- the You Can Haz Help Now Thread (Sept 19th - Oct 16th)

Though, after a certain point, I don't know how effective an effort to use absolutely no animal products in clothing can be. It drives you to using synthetic materials, which are produced by heavy industry which surely kills many animals in the process, even though those are essentially collateral damage and not used directly in the product.

You cannot live in modern society and escape complicity in the destruction of animal life for the material benefit of humans. If you try to live in an artificial pre-modern society, you will quickly find you need to destroy animals directly yourself for your own survival.

Or you could shop secondhand, which takes no energy past that which runs the thrift store. Then it doesn't matter what kind of materials in which you're clothed (unless you're also against the promotion of fur and leather inherent in simply being seen in them).

#fakesnakes - I'd make a skull cap and mount articulated wooden snake toys on it - you've probably seen them, they're just segments of timber on a string really - and the movement of the actor's head ought to get them writhing pretty well. Won't be much chop for close-ups or extended shots but it's a budget solution. Google "wooden snake toy" for pics.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. Will take to the googles with the advice in mind.

We live on the Gold Coast in Australia, which (as you might guess from the name) has great, moderate weather - rarely even gets into the teens during winter, and rarely gets up to 40 in summer (degrees Celsius that is). I have a feeling that we simply won't be able to comprehend the cold until we arrive :)

I like Greasemonkey's advice because it's geographically relevant. I grew up in Sydney, and whilst the summers are hotter and the winters are colder, there's not really that much in it.

We're planning on starting our trip in/around Russia and then traveling east to Ukraine, Germany, Netherlands, and then heading to the UK.And thanks for the sunglasses and chapstick suggestions - I know how important they can be, but as I was busy thinking about big coats and waterproof boots and such they might have slipped my mind.

Layering: DO IT. Also wool and silk are your friends, as far as materials go. (Sorry about that, vegans.) They both breathe and insulate. Gloves, or better yet MITTENS in freezing weather. Longjohns. Anything to keep you from getting wet, and then freezing to death.

As far as shoes are concerned, be aware there is a world of difference between the various military style boots of different countries, if you decide to opt for the surplus. Some of them have absolutely zero traction on snow/ice.

Layering is the only way you're going to cope with the cold in Russia/Ukraine. You'll need all the clothing on my list. Germany's not so bad, although the Bavarian region gets pretty chilly in January. Almost everyone has a cloak room inside the front door, or at least a big closet in small apartments, where you can strip off layers after coming indoors. Take off your snowy boots as well - there's generally a boot tray where you can leave them - or you'll leave slushy footprints and piss off your host.

A long thick wool scarf is going to be your best friend in any kind of windy weather. It'll keep the icy wind out of the top of your coat, and you can wrap it around any exposed bits of your neck and ears. Fleecy trackpants under your trousers are passable for keeping your legs warm - don't even try going out with just long pants, the wind will cut right through them and you'll develop hypothermia and end up in hospital - but longjohns are way better. You can buy them dirt cheap most places where the winters are brutal. Try not to go out at all if there's a blizzard. It might seem like fun, but the wind can drop the temperature by ten or twenty degrees, and if it's blowing in your face you can actually feel your eyeballs freezing as you go blind (which is why you see polar explorers wearing goggles).

You're starting with Russia? I hope that's because you're hoping to avoid the winters there. As a total wuss living in northern Wisconsin (though I'm right on Lake Superior, which makes a huge difference), I would second the importance of layering. And stuff being waterproof. You lose a lot of heat from your head (especially ears), and extremities feel cold sooner. I've found that having my nose/mouth covered helps avoid runny noses and sore throats, which helps me not get sick. And I will second the wonders of second hand/thrift stores. I would never buy fur new, but I've got a couple coats that way and they are wondrously warm.

norwegian city wear: one layer on the skin, one to hold body heat, one of regular clothes and a thick coat to break the wind. socks, gloves, scarf, hat which covers your ears. nothing can really replace wool- it keeps you warm even when wet - but at least avoid cotton, which is worse than useless.

this works for low activity at temps down to -5-10c. colder than that, or for extended stays outdoors, prepare to be uncomfortable or in pain without windtight outer suit and head-to-toe wool.

Military surplus stores are a wealth of keep warm clothing. Ecouterre helps a lot when being conscientious about clothing/fashion. I enjoy the "animal spine" jewelry made from re-purposed bullet casings. They even have a "Vegan Style" section!

Has anyone used a mobile phone point of sale system like Square Up or Adelante? Square Up doesn't work in the UK sadly, as far as I'm aware, so I'm looking for an equivalent. Any suggestions? I'm fine with the company taking a cut, but would rather not pay a subscription for the service.

If you don't like the look of army trenchcoats, duffel coats are more stylish and just as warm, and you can also buy those at disposals stores. In general, you're looking for a warm, thick, knee-length overcoat for your top layer.